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The Blog of Gene Luen Yang

Comic-Con International 2009

Monday, July 20, 2009, 02:25 PMPosted by Administrator

Comic-Con International 2009 is just around the corner, and this year I have the honor of being one of the Special Guests. The Special Guest list this year is absolutely NUTSO, mostly because Hayao Miyazake's on it! Derek Kirk Kim and I will be tabling at #AA4. We'll have mini-comics and all sorts of other stuff for sale. First Second Books will be at Booth #1323 and SLG Publishing at Booth #1815. Here's a list of panels and such that I'll be at:

Thursday 7/23, 2:30-3:30: Spotlight on Gene Yang— Only three years ago, Comic-Con special guest Gene Yang (American Born Chinese) was making his reputation on minicomics. Now he's an award-winning graphic novelist. Hear him in conversation with fellow comic artist and collaborator Derek Kirk Kim (The Eternal Smile). Room 4

Friday 7/24, 10:00-11:00 From Fan to Creator: Goal Setting for Creative Types— Which side of the convention table do you want to be on, artist or fan? And what's keeping you from getting there? If you have an idea in your head that you've had trouble bringing into reality, you might benefit from this fun and practical goal-setting workshop, designed specifically for the Comic-Con crowd. Teacher and coach Douglas Neff offers simple, proven techniques for achieving your most important goals. Whether you want to write your own screenplay, draw your first comic, or shoot your independent film, you're sure to get something useful from this informative and energizing workshop. (I'll be doing a ten-minute cameo at this.) Room 32AB

Friday 7/24, 6:30-7:30 Four Color Reality: Making Comics Relevant to Readers Across Cultures— Comic book stories have become the core of American pop culture—is there a big-budget spectacular that doesn't in some fashion owe its existence to comic book roots these days? But sales of traditional-format comic books themselves have been in decline for years. This panel explores one reason for this shrinking market: the divergence between the identities of mainstream comic icons, who are typically straight, white, male, and American, and the demographic makeup of a new generation of readers. How can the comic book industry connect with changing audiences—not just of diverse races and backgrounds, but of different cultural and national origins as well? Moderated by Jeff Yang (editor-in-chief, Secret Identities: The Asian American Superhero Anthology). Panelists include Dwayne McDuffie (Milestone Comics, JLA, Ben 10: Alien Force), Gail Simone (Wonder Woman), Gene Yang (American Born Chinese, The Eternal Smile), Stuart Moore (Wolverine: Noir, The 99), and Jai Nitz (Blue Beetle, El Diablo). Room 3

Sunday 7/26, 10:00-11:00 Kids' Graphic Novels— What's new and wonderful in the world of comics and graphic novels for kids in 2009? Moderator Robin Brenner, creator and editor-in-chief of NoFlyingNoTights.com, highlights the works of panelists Lewis Trondheim (Tiny Tyrant), Gene Yang (American Born Chinese), Derek Kirk Kim (The Eternal Smile), Eric Wight (Frankie Pickle and The Closet of Doom), Chris Schweizer (Crogan's Vengeance), Jennifer Holm (Babymouse), and Jarrett J. Krosoczka (Lunch Lady), who all recommend other great titles. Room 3

Last week I had the pleasure of presenting at the Catholic Library Association conference in Anaheim, CA. There, I met Mr. Lopez, a technology teacher at St. Genevieve Elementary School in Panorama City. Mr. Lopez taught American Born Chinese to his 7th and 8th grade students, and he was kind enough to share with me some of their projects. They're amazing! Here are just a few:

Looking for a place to spend that tax refund? SLG Publishing, the folks who put out my first two graphic novels (Gordon Yamamoto and the King of the Geeks and Loyola Chin and the San Peligran Order) are having a web sale! Already cheap comics are now 30% off! Go to www.slgcomic.com and type in taxtime09 as your coupon code. The image above is from Andi Watson's Slow News Day, one of my favorite SLG books. Sale ends on Friday 4/17, so hurry!